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Keith Eyster's top NBA prop bets for 10/22/25: expert player-prop picks, value plays, quick model edges and line-shopping tips for today’s slate. Check odds & get the edge.
With years of experience studying betting trends, player performance, and advanced analytics, I have developed a reputation for identifying value and capitalizing on inefficiencies across sportsbooks and pick 'em sites. My name is Keith Eyster, and I am thrilled to be making my content debut here at RotoBaller, bringing you my favorite NBA props on this fine Wednesday.
The 2025-26 NBA season is officially underway, and Wednesday’s loaded slate brings basketball fans their first full night of action with 12 games on the schedule. After an offseason filled with blockbuster trades, rising stars, and title talk, every team takes the floor with renewed optimism.
With fresh faces in new places, superstar debuts, and contenders looking to set the tone early, opening week always delivers a reminder of why basketball season is the best time of the year. The wait is over, and the NBA is back. In this article, I will provide my favorite NBA player props picks for Wednesday, October 22nd.
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Today’s Best NBA Prop Bets & Player Props
Early-season NBA player props present a prime opportunity for bettors to get ahead of oddsmakers, capitalizing on new trends, unexpected rotations, and shifts in play style from last season. With teams still settling into their identities, sharp bettors can often find mispriced lines before the markets adjust.
Let’s take a look at the top player props for today’s NBA slate:
- Zion Williamson over 38.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Giannis Antetokounmpo over 11.5 Rebounds
- LaMelo Ball over 29.5 Points and Assists
- Santi Aldama over 20.5 Points and Rebounds
- Cam Whitmore over 10.5 Points
Zion Williamson over 38.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists (+100 BetMGM)
Zion Williamson entered the league as one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory, but injuries have slowed his ascent to superstardom. Now, entering the 2025-26 season, he looks ready to change that narrative. Williamson has emphasized conditioning this offseason, reportedly dropping nearly 40 pounds from his playing weight last year, and says he feels the best he has since college.
When healthy last year, Williamson was dominant, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in just 28.6 minutes per game, good for 37.1 combined PRA. With improved fitness, his minutes and consistency should rise accordingly.
He also draws a strong opening matchup against the Grizzlies, who played at the fastest pace in the league last season and saw their defensive rating slip outside the top 10. That tempo suits Zion’s explosive, rim-running style perfectly.
With better conditioning, renewed motivation, and a fast-paced environment, Williamson is well-positioned to clear his PRA line in the opener.
Giannis Antetokounmpo over 11.5 Rebounds (-135 DK)
The Bucks underwent a roster shakeup this offseason, swapping out one average rebounder at center (Brook Lopez) for another in Myles Turner. As a result, they’ll once again rely heavily on perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo to control the glass. Giannis led Milwaukee with 11.9 rebounds per game last season and remains their only consistent force on the boards.
He opens the 2025-26 campaign with one of the most favorable rebounding matchups imaginable. The Wizards finished last season with the second-worst team rebounding rate in the NBA and allowed opponents the most rebounds per game, nearly three more than the next-closest team.
With limited help around him and an opponent that consistently struggles on the glass, Antetokounmpo should again dominate the rebounding category. Given the matchup and his central role in Milwaukee’s frontcourt, Giannis looks like an excellent bet to clear his rebounds prop on opening night and start the new season in dominant fashion.
LaMelo Ball over 29.5 Points and Assists (-115 Bet365)
Hornets star LaMelo Ball appears ready for opening night after receiving a clean bill of health following a minor preseason injury scare. The dynamic point guard is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-best 25.2 points and added 7.4 assists per game, impressive numbers given that he spent much of the year carrying an undermanned Charlotte roster.
This season, Ball should have a more capable supporting cast around him. Brandon Miller returns from injury, and top-five draft pick Kon Knueppel adds the perimeter shooting the Hornets have sorely lacked. That improved floor spacing and offensive balance should make Ball’s life easier as both a scorer and facilitator.
He also draws one of the best matchups on the board for a lead guard. The Brooklyn Nets ranked just 23rd in defensive efficiency last season and allowed the 10th-most assists per game to opponents. Their offseason changes, swapping Cameron Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. and turning to a rookie point guard in the starting lineup, likely weaken their defensive outlook further.
With better weapons around him and a porous opponent defense, Ball is in prime position to stuff the stat sheet. He’s capable of clearing this line on points alone and should easily add 6–8 assists, making him one of the most appealing player prop bets on the slate.
Top Value Props & Sleeper Picks
Betting on superstars is always exciting, but the best value often lies on the margins of a roster. Role players and emerging contributors can offer hidden edges, especially as the season wears on and injuries start to shake up rotations.
Let’s dive into some of the top value plays for today’s NBA slate.
Santi Aldama over 20.5 Points and Rebounds (-105 FD)
Memphis forward Santi Aldama is coming off the best season of his young career, setting personal highs with 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while proving he can be a consistent contributor in extended minutes. He now finds himself in another excellent position to start the new campaign, benefiting from both a larger role and a favorable matchup.
With center Zach Edey sidelined, the Grizzlies will be forced to adjust their frontcourt rotation. Memphis could potentially slide Jaren Jackson Jr. over to center, which could open a starting opportunity for Aldama at power forward. Even if Jock Landale gets the nominal start, Aldama is expected to play a significant role off the bench, likely logging around 30 minutes given his versatility and ability to stretch the floor.
The matchup only adds to his appeal. The New Orleans Pelicans ranked 29th in defensive efficiency last season and allowed the seventh-most rebounds per game to opponents, struggling particularly against mobile bigs who can space the floor and attack mismatches.
With a clear path to increased playing time and a matchup that aligns perfectly with his skill set, Aldama is well-positioned for a productive opener. He’s a strong candidate to exceed his points and rebounds prop in what could be one of his most advantageous spots of the season.
Cam Whitmore over 11.5 Points (-102 DK)
Cam Whitmore enters the 2025-26 season with his best opportunity yet to showcase his talent. After two years buried on a deep Houston roster, the 21-year-old wing now joins a rebuilding Wizards team eager to give its young players extended run. With Bilal Coulibaly sidelined by injury, Whitmore has a clear path to consistent minutes and a significant offensive role, something he rarely saw with the Rockets.
Whitmore has already proven he can produce when given playing time. He averaged 12.3 points in just 18.7 minutes per game as a rookie, displaying explosive athleticism and strong shot creation. While his scoring dipped to 9.4 points in 16.2 minutes last season due to reduced usage, the underlying skill set and efficiency remained encouraging. In Washington, he’ll face far less competition for touches and should see his minutes rise sharply.
The opening-night matchup also works in his favor. The Bucks have undergone significant roster turnover since last season, when they dropped out of the league’s top 10 in defensive rating after losing key perimeter defenders the year prior. With their defensive chemistry still in flux, Whitmore’s aggressiveness and athleticism could cause real problems for Milwaukee’s retooled lineup.
Given the expanded role, favorable matchup, and immense untapped upside, Whitmore is well-positioned for a breakout performance. He’s a strong bet to surpass his points prop on opening night and kick off what could be the most productive stretch of his young career.
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